PALIN , NUT JOB RUNNING AWAY!

Good Morning Blogosphere!
From Flint MI
Liberal and Opinionated.
By Terry Bankert7/5/09

"Good Morning Blogosphere pod cast , video,7/5/09
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1757513
text here at
http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/


OPINION:

SARAH PALIN IS RUNNING FROM SOMETHING. SHE RAN FOR VICE PRESIDENT, HAS ANNOUNCED INTENTION OF SEEKING THE PRESIDENCY AND HAS JUST ANNOUNCED SHE IS QUITTING A GOVERNORSHIP.

PAIN DESERVED THE ATTENTION SHE IS GETTING.

SOME OF US ARE APPALLED THAT THIS NUT JOB COULD HAVE BEEN A HEART BEAT AWAY FROM THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES , AN NOW SHE...WANTS TO BE PRESIDENT

"You don't call a press conference and raise questions. You call a press conference to answer questions. She has basically left out there everyone asking, why is she doing this? There must be another reason. There must be another shoe that's gonna drop. There's something else.[12]

PALIN HAS EVOLVED FROM PIT BULL TO A FRAZZLED KITTEN

On Friday, the self-described pit bull announced she will step down as governor by the end of the month. She spoke vaguely about hoping to "effect positive change outside of government," but gave no specific indication of what's next. [10]

THIS DOES NOT RING TRUE

Alaskan Governors explanation for resignation does not ring true, my opinion is a scandal is about to break .

NORTH TO ALASKA, INVESTIGATIONS ARE UNDER WAY.

Despite rumors of a looming controversy after the Republican governor's surprise announcement Friday that she would leave office this month, some of them published in the blogosphere, the FBI's Alaska spokesman said the bureau had no investigation into Palin for her activities as governor, as mayor or in any other capacity.[11]

THE PRESS IS PLAYING WHACK A MOLED, OR WHAT WE HAVE IN PALIN IS A WACKED OUT NUT JOB

Palin's surprising resignation triggered a feverish game of political whack-a-mole, leaving fans and foes guessing just where she will pop up.[10]

IF ITS NOT SARAH IT MUST BE TODD

"There is absolutely no truth to those rumors that we're investigating her or getting ready to indict her," Special Agent Eric Gonzalez said in a phone interview Saturday. "It's just not true." He added that there was "no wiggle room" in his comments for any kind of inquiry.[11]

PALIN HAS LAWYER UP

Palin has lawyered up, with her lawyers releasing a statement on Saturday denying allegations her resignation was linked to a criminal investigation on construction of a sports complex in Wasilla.

BLOGGER ARE LEADING IN THE COVERAGE OF THE PALIN COLLAPSE

Bloggers are s reporting that Palin is under federal investigation for her personal finances, including the construction of her house in Wasilla that was built when she was mayor. That sounds like old fashioned local political corruption.

BLOGOSPHERE IS AWASH WITH RUMOR AND OPINION, LIKE FOX NETWORK

The internet is awash with word that three more ethics complaints against Palin are in the works . A long simmering embezzelment/IRS scandal is still being looked at by the feds based on that construction of her house.

DID PALIN QUIT TO AVOID A CORRUPTION SCANDLE?

Max Blumental reports on The Daily Beast that Sarah Palin may have quit her job because she was trying to avert a major, yet-to-be-disclosed corruption scandal. The gist of the rumor is that an Alaska building company called Spenard Building Supplies (SBS) was awarded a contract by Palin to build a hockey arena in Wasilla, AK, and in return,
SBS helped construct Palin’s home: http://www.lipstickalley.com/f153/palin-hockey-arena-builders-built-her-house-embezzlement-ethics-probe-192801/#post4134577

DID PALINS HUSBAND TODD STEER LUCRATIVE CONTRACTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF HIS HOME

Many political observers in Alaska are fixated on rumors that federal investigators have been seizing paperwork from SBS in recent months, searching for evidence that Palin and her husband Todd steered lucrative contracts to the well-connected company in exchange for gifts like the construction of their home on pristine Lake Lucille in 2002.

The home was built just two months before Palin began campaigning for governor, a job which would have provided her enhanced power to grant building contracts in the wide open state.
SBS has close ties to the Palins. The company has not only sponsored Todd Palin’s snowmobile team, according to the Village Voice’s Wayne Barrett, it hired Sarah Palin to do a statewide television commercial in 2004.

SBS A SUPPLIER, DID TODD BUY OR DID HE EARN A GIFT OF BUILDING MATERIAL FROM SBS

Though Todd Palin told Fox News he built his Lake Lucille home with the help of a few “buddies,” according to Barrett’s report, public records revealed that SBS supplied the materials for the house. While serving as mayor of Wasilla, Sarah Palin blocked an initiative that would have required the public filing of building permits—thus momentarily preventing the revelation of such suspicious information.

SBS WAS GRANTED A PUBLICLY BID 13 MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT FOR THE WASILLA Sports Complex

Just months before Palin left city hall to campaign for governor, she awarded a contract to SBS to help build the $13 million Wasilla Sports Complex. The most expensive building project in Wasilla history, the complex cost the city an addition $1.3 million in legal fees and threw it into severe long-term debt. For SBS, however, the bloated and bungled project was a cash cow.http://www.lipstickalley.com/f153/palin-hockey-arena-builders-built-her-house-embezzlement-ethics-probe-192801/#post4134577

BLOGOSPHERE QUEEN MOORE SAYS PLAIN IS RUNNING FROM AN EMBEZZLEMENT INVESTICATION

"To the extent several websites, most notably liberal Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore, http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/are now claiming as 'fact' that Governor Palin resigned because she is 'under federal investigation' for embezzlement or other criminal wrongdoing, we will be exploring legal options this week to address such defamation," lawyer Thomas Van Flein said in the statement.[2]

GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN SHOWS SHE IS GOOFY AGAIN, IN THE WAY SHE RESIGNS

Scores of left-leaning blogs posted speculation in the wake of Palin’s surprise announcement Friday and among the most common theories was that she was on the verge of federal indictment over the 2002 construction of the sports arena.

PALIN DID NOT OVERSEE THE WASILLA PROJECT

Making the case for his client, Van Flein writes that Palin, then the Mayor of Wasilla did not oversee the Steering Committee tasked with running the project. WALISILLA PROJECT WAS
OUIT SIDE HER SCOPE OF AUTHORITY

“While her public support of this project was deemed pivotal by many, the actual construction, bidding, financing and other day-to-day management of the project was not in her scope of authority as Mayor,” Van Flein writes.

THE WALISSAL PROJECT WAS PUBLICLY BID

Van Flein also notes that the project was publicly bid and therefore Palin had little control over construction. SBS, SPENARD BUILDING SUPPLY, THEY SOLD THE STUFF TO HER
The attorney also addressed another of the bloggers’ claims: that Palin purchased building materials to build her own home from the same supply store as was used by those who built the arena.
“Prior to the construction of Lowe’s and Home Depot within the last few years in Wasilla, Spenard Builders Supply was the primary building supply company in Wasilla,” Van Flein writes. “It can hardly come as a surprise that it would sell materials to small homeowners or that it would also bid to supply commercial contracts.”

PLAIN FINANCE HER HOME IN THE TRADITIONAL MANNER

As for how the Palin’s financed their home on Wasilla’s Lake Lucille, Van Flein says they “used a combination of personal savings, equity from the sale of their prior home, and conventional bank financing to build the house— like millions of American families. The deeds of trust are recordable public records. Basic journalism and fact checking would confirm this.”[14]
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/24521.html#ixzz0KO6C5Iex&C


REPUBLICANS REMAIN RUDDERLESS AS A PARTY AS PALIN ENGAGES IN HER POLITICAL PSYCO BABBLE DRAMMA

The only motivation that would cause her to give up the Governorship would be to cut a deal to avoid prosecution of the realization she would soon be charged.

Posted here byTerry Bankert-The above is my opinion, read the following and form yours.-
[1]http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iinq3vaGCOpTAmpWXyWWFH3aLieQD997SF981
[2]http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5624MB20090705
[3]http://www.alaskadispatch.com/palin-watch/1271-palins-strange-statement-forces-reporters-bloggers-to-speculate
[4]http://www.adn.com/1305/story/852787.html
[5]http://alaskareport.com/news39/x71272_resignation.htm
[6]http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/opinion/05dowd.html?hpw
[7]http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/
[8]http://www.lipstickalley.com/f153/palin-hockey-arena-builders-built-her-house-embezzlement-ethics-probe-192801/#post4134577
[9]http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090705/ap_on_re_us/us_palin_resigning
[10]\http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/07/05/2009-07-05_joe_biden_slap_shot_at_sarah_palin_says_quittin_gov_isnt_any_victim.html
[11]http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-palin5-2009jul05,0,7018263.story
[12]http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/07/sarah_palin_timeout_or_flameou_1.html[13]http://www.thedailybeast.com/
[14]http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/24521.html

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LOOKING FOR CORRUPTION?

WHY LOOK AT CORRUPTION IN FLINT MICHIGAN?

*****
GOOD MORNING FLINT! 9/15/09
By Terry Bankert
http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/
Above Longer article , mostly research so you can draw your own conclusions, with citations, short summery below at http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=36113#36113
* * * * *
REFLECTIONS: Per diem abuse may seem like small potatoes, but it offers a way to look at the concept of corruption. Palin makes the news again. Mabey there are things about her experience that can guide us through Flint’s- First just being two faced like her is not political corruption. Political corruption is the use of governmental powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. An illegal act by an officeholder constitutes political corruption only if the act is directly related to their official duties. All forms of government are susceptible to political corruption. Forms of corruption vary, but include cronyism, nepotism, patronage, and embezzlement. Tolerance of political corruption allows “rule by thieves”.Corruption undermines democracy.Senator McCain said that he chose Governor Palin to be his running mate because she’s going to change Washington D.C. the same way that she, supposedly, brought change to the governor’s mansion in Alaska. She brought political corruption to the Governors Mansion. She has spent -- or she has collected from the people of Alaska , improperly, nearly $17,000 in per diem , untaxed, in the 19 months that she was been in office, which indicates that she is out of her office more than she’s in her office. Her staff has said she performs most of her work from the Anchorage office near her home and charged the state for sleeping in her own home. If it is corruption compared to the allegations of the mayor and community members in Flint Mi USA,Palins corruption is small potatoes. We must have a whole field.[trb]
* * * *

Our Mayor in Flint MI USA has announced he is spending millions of his own money to fight corruption, great. Here I am reflecting what political corruption is and why it is important to stand up against it as a citizen. Per diem abuse may seem like small potatoes, but it offers a way to look at the concept of corruption.[trb] I simply inquired of my friend google about political corruption. You see in Flint we have a mayor who has started a committee to stop corruption in Flint. Ironically there are a few in Flint that argue he is its source. So I though I would inquire what political corruption is then seek examples, Palin makes the news again. Mabey there are things about her experience that can guide us through Flint’s[trb]

YOU ARE NOT POLITICALLY CORRUPT FOR BEING TWO FACED.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin charged taxpayers a per diem for her meals and incidental expenses as governor but was a vocal critic of a similar perk for state legislators.[6]

ONLINE DEFINITION OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION

Political corruption is the use of governmental powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by private persons or corporations not directly involved with the government.[1]

OFFICIAL DUTIES AND ILLEGAL ACT EQUATE POLITICAL CORRUPTION

An illegal act by an officeholder constitutes political corruption only if the act is directly related to their official duties.[1] All forms of government are susceptible to political corruption. Forms of corruption vary, but include bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, graft, and embezzlement. While corruption may facilitate criminal enterprise such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and trafficking, it is not restricted to these organized crime activities.[1]

IN SOME LOCALS CORRUPTION IS THE PRICE OF DOING BUSINESS

In some nations, corruption is so common that it is expected when ordinary businesses or citizens interact with government officials. The end point of political corruption is a kleptocracy, literally "rule by thieves".[1]

CORRUPTION UNDERMINES DEMOCRACY

Corruption poses a serious development challenge. In the political realm, it undermines democracy and good governance by flouting or even subverting formal processes. Corruption in elections and in legislative bodies reduces accountability and distorts representation in policymaking; corruption in the judiciary compromises the rule of law; and corruption in public administration results in the unfair provision of services. More generally, corruption erodes the institutional capacity of government as procedures are disregarded, resources are siphoned off, and public offices are bought and sold. At the same time, corruption undermines the legitimacy of government and such democratic values as trust and tolerance.[1]

THE FIRST ARTICLE , WHEN POLITICAL CORRUPTION WAS GOOGLED, INVOLVED ALASKAN GOVERNOR PALIN

Senator McCain said that he chose Governor Palin to be his running mate because she’s going to change Washington D.C. the same way that she, supposedly, brought change to the governor’s mansion in Alaska.

WHAT CHANGES HAS PALIN BROUGHT AND WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO DO WITH CORRUPTION?

There are several examples of how that isn’t, exactly, the case. Her record does not stand up to scrutiny. Governor Palin billed the people of Alaska for 312 nights that she actually spent at home, in her own house, in her own bed.[1]


MISUSE OF EXPENSE ACCOUNTS AS POLITICAL CORRUPTION

These per diems are intended to compensate state employees to cover for travel costs when they are traveling on official state business.[2, comment by proudalaskan]

ALASKA IS A BIG STATE ,IS IT POLITICAL CORRUPTION TO SLEEP AT HOME AND CHARGE THE STATE FOR IT?

Governor Palin got paid to sleep at home. She also got paid to attend the Great Alaska Shootout, which is a Thanksgiving Day basketball tournament, here in Anchorage, that’s very popular. In all, according to the -- the Post, that we’ve seen, she has spent -- or she has collected from the people of Alaska nearly $17,000 in per diem in the 19 months that she was been in office, which indicates that she is out of her office more than she’s in her office.[2, comment by proudalaskan] At issue is the location of the governor's "tax home," which the Internal Revenue Service defines as the location where most of the individual's business is performed. Palin stayed in her Wasilla home 312 nights or 54 percent of the time period when she claimed the per diem, from Dec. 4, 2006, until June 30, 2008. She drove 45 miles to a state office building in Anchorage to conduct business. Her staff has said she performs most of her work from the Anchorage office. [3]

That would appear to make Wasilla the governor's "tax home," which would mean that under IRS regulations, any per diem she received for staying in that home is considered taxable. [3] But Garnero said the state considers Juneau to be the governor's "duty station" or tax home, which would make her eligible for per diem payments for time spent away from that place, even if it were in the governor's Wasilla residence. [3]

The $60-a-day allowance is available for state employees when traveling on official state business to cover meals and other expenses. Her salary is $125,000 a year. [3] Since Gov. Sarah Palin took office nearly two years ago, the state of Alaska has routinely bought commercial airline tickets for her daughters when they travel with her, a practice that raises questions about the governor’s claim to being a fiscal conservative.[7] Travel records from the governor’s office show that the state has spent at least $31,800 on dozens of airline tickets for the family, and more for meals and hotels.[7]

WE FIGHT POLITICAL CORRUPTION BY TRANSPARENCY. RELEASE OF PERSONAL TAX RETURNS IS ONE SUCH TRANSPARENCY

The important question today, I guess, would be -- because Senator Biden released his tax return -- would be for Governor Palin to release her tax returns -- federal tax returns -- to show whether or not she actually paid federal income tax on those reimbursements, for when she was living in her Wasilla home.[2, comment by proudalaskan] I am probably more involved, and pay attention more, to what’s going on in the state than a lot of residents. And I was unaware that she was not in Juneau, doing her job, as much as -- as this report seems to indicate. When she said -- made the announcement that she wasn’t going to stay in the mansion in Juneau, and she was going to -- because she “didn’t need this fancy house,” and she “didn’t need the cook,” and she “didn’t need the housekeeper,” and her home was in Wasilla, so she was only going to be in Juneau when she had to be in Juneau -- that rang pretty true to everybody.[2, comment by proudalaskan] Another background point involves the state capital, Juneau, which cannot be reached by road. Imagine trying to reach Hartford without using a road or bridge.

Those heading for Juneau by boat must deal with the ferocious Gulf of Alaska or the cloudy ferry trip along the Inland Passage. Those who fly must thread the needle between ice-covered mountains, bank hard above a fjord (usually in foggy drizzle), and land at sea level in a place where the tide averages over 15 feet. Juneau is a nice city to live in and to disembark at on a cruise, but it's a great challenge for business, coming and going.[4] We thought, “Well, that’s really great. You know, here’s this person who’s not, you know, feeling like she gets to -- to live in the castle on the hill. And she was going to be staying at her home in Wasilla,” and, “How noble is that?”[2, comment by proudalaskan]

STAYING AT HOME GREAT POLICY EXECUTED IN A SELF SERVING MANNER

But if she is billing the state to stay at her home in Wasilla, that’s pretty shocking to me, as a resident of the State of Alaska. So I think that this is -- it just raises one problem with the transparency and dishonest government that we have seen in Washington, D.C. And I don’t’ think it’s indicative of her bringing any kind of change to that.[2, comment by proudalaskan]

MIS USE OF PER DIEM THAN IS A LEGITIMATE EXAMPLE OF POLITICAL
CORRUPTION.

The practice of billing for staying at home seems to be unusual. Many officials said it would not be allowed in their states, including California, Pennsylvania and South Carolina, as well as other jurisdictions. On the federal level, officials said members of Congress do not get per diem allowances for routine home visits.[8]

POLITICAL CORRUPTION THEN COULD BE PALINS MIS USE OF PER DIEMS. A SECOND PROBLEM MAY BE NOT CLAIMING THE PER DIEMS ON HER INCOME TAXES

The misuse of per diems pales beside other acts of political corruption. But it’s a start. If this label applies to her where else should the label be applied in Flint MI USA? How to we stop corruption. Demand transparency and accountablity in the actions of the Leaders of Flint MI USA. Defend democracy by doing so.[trb]

Posted here by Terry Bankert 9/15/08
http://attorneybankert.com/
-
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_corruption
[2] http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/satletters3_0913edi.6e18b549.html [3] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/12/AR2008091203132.html?hpid=topnews
[4] http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-thorson0911.artsep11,0,1586992.column
[5] http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/10/palin_questioned_legislators_p.html
[6] http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/10/palin_questioned_legislators_p.html
[7] http://news.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1118181&srvc=2008campaign&position=10
[8] http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/us/politics/10billing.html?em

92792/18010

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